Illinoisans Reject President Obama's Chained CPI Budget Proposal

Survey of Illinois Voters over 50 Shows Overwhelming Rejection of Cuts to Social Security Benefits; Illinoisans Urged to Call their Senators to say NO on Obama's Budget Deal

CHICAGO, April 8, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As a chained CPI will be an element in President Obama's budget proposal, an overwhelming majority of Illinoisans oppose this plan as well as cuts in Social Security benefits according to a state survey conducted by AARP. Nearly 9 in 10 voters strongly believe that seniors should not be affected by changes to Social Security, while over 80 percent agree that the future of Social Security should not be part of deficit-reduction discussions.

"President Obama is laying out a clear marker that he is willing to cut Social Security and other benefits to balance the budget. But Social Security is a separate, self-funded program that doesn't contribute to the deficit and shouldn't be a part of any deficit-reduction deal," said Bob Gallo, AARP Illinois State Director. "Both the House and Senate budgets rejected the idea of cutting Social Security benefits to reduce the deficit, and our survey shows that the overwhelming majority of older Americans agree Social Security should not be cut for deficit reduction."

AARP's survey of Illinois voters 50 and older showed, among other things:

86% of voters 50+ say it is very important to them that Social Security benefits are not reduced for current seniors.

84% opposed reducing Social Security benefits in order to reduce the deficit; in fact, 74% strongly oppose.

81% agree that the future of Social Security should be considered separately from budget reduction discussions.

78% oppose changing the way the cost of living adjustment is calculated for retired and disabled veterans' benefits.

"President Obama is reneging on a campaign promise he made back in 2008. AARP will stand up against the proposed cuts to seniors and some of the most vulnerable among us," Gallo added. "As our poll says, Americans strongly oppose cuts to the Social Security benefits they've earned, and the veterans who served our country honorably shouldn't face one, let alone the two cuts that chained CPI would inflict. Additionally, widows, children and people with disabilities don't deserve this. Both the House and Senate budgets rejected changes to Social Security for deficit reduction, and we urge the President to do the same."